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Gonzalez Already Impressing Berhalter

By: Adam Jardy

The Columbus Dispatch - February 22, 2014 08:46 AM

KISSIMMEE, Fla. – A few hours before the word went public, Giancarlo Gonzalez was
going through his first training session with the Crew. After having spent a few days getting over
jet lag and getting the final details of his contract worked out, Gonzalez jumped right into the
fray as coach and sporting director Gregg Berhalter moved the players through a series of
positioning drills designed to demonstrate how he wants the team play this season.

It was then that Gonzalez did something that surprised Berhalter: he raised his hand and asked a
question. Before he supplied the answer, Berhalter verbally applauded Gonzalez’s query in front of
the rest of the team.

Seated in the lobby of the team’s hotel a few hours later, the moment was not lost on
Berhalter.

“He asked a question, and that says a lot about the guy,” he said.

Gonzalez possesses a limited command of English, but enough to clearly get his point across,
Berhalter said. He will room with fellow defender Michael Parkhurst, who will likely pair with
Gonzalez in the center of the Crew defense this year.

“I think it’s still really open as far as spots are concerned,” he said. “There’s been a lot of
rotation and a lot of guys have played with different guys in training and in the games so I think
it’s far from set in stone, the back four, which is a good thing. You want guys to push it and I
think that they are. Of course as you get close to the season we need to get some time together,
whoever it’s going to be. For now, all the defenders need to be on the same page and know their
responsibilities and be comfortable with each other because it doesn’t matter who the back four is,
everyone is going to get playing time throughout the year and you don’t want the playing level to
drop.”

Berhalter said he likes the versatility of the group. He cited Tyson Wahl (left back and left
center back), Parkhurst (left, center and right back) and Williams (center and right back) as
players capable of playing multiple positions, although he reiterated that Parkhurst will not play
left back for the Crew.

“It’s a lot of versatility,” he said. “If everything goes like we think it’s going to go in
terms of the personnel, we’ll be missing some guys for a little bit and it’s good to have that
flexibility.”

It adds up to a defense that is settled in Berhalter’s mind – at least on paper.

“In terms of personnel, we are set,” he said. “In terms of the work that needs to be done, we’re
not there yet. We’ll get there, but I believe this is the right personnel group that can really
develop into a good back line.”

Game twoAfter beating Toronto 3-1 on Wednesday in the first game of the Disney Pro Soccer Classic,
Berhalter said the performance still left something to be desired from his side. Two light days of
training later, the Crew returns to the field to face Philadelphia today at 1 p.m.

“It’s always good to get a win,” Barson said. “You have to take it in perspective though, that
it’s preseason. I think the positive was we were able to see things that we’ve been working on in
training are carrying over into the game. I’m sure the coaching staff was happy about that.”

In both preseason games so far this season, Berhalter has played two completely different
lineups in each half save for in goal against Toronto. Today, some players will be stretched out to
more minutes.

“We don’t know how pretty it will be but we’re going to get them going,” he said.

Steve Clark will start in goal after Lampson played the Toronto game. Both players are battling
for the team’s No. 1 goalkeeping spot.

Gonzalez will play, Berhalter said, but offseason acquisition Daniel Paladini is unlikely to see
action as he continues to battle a knee injury. He sat out the Crew’s week of training on an indoor
turf field in Ohio last week with what Berhalter said was inflammation and did not play against
Toronto. He returned to the training field Thursday but sat out yesterday’s session.

“Daniel is struggling with a little bit of fluid in his knee and because of that we’re taking
precautions with him,” Berhalter said. “We want to get him right for the season.”

Berhalter ruled out the possibility of surgery for Paladini, saying it is the type of injury
that heals best with rest.

Decisions…Gonzalez’s signing puts the Crew at 31 players under contract with two unsigned trialists
still in camp. Forward Adam Bedell and central defender Patrick Slogic are making final roster
decisions tough, Berhalter said.

Bedell scored in the second half against Toronto and Slogic played the entire first half.

“We have to get roster compliant,” Berhalter said of the March 1 deadline. “We know that. We’re
going to have to make decisions coming up. The guys are making it difficult for us. Adam comes in
and scores and plays a good game. Patrick played a good game at center back. Toronto, how much
money did they spend on Gilberto? He’s a quality player. (Dwayne De Rosario) has been one of the
best forwards in the league’s history. Patrick played fine against them. It’s not easy for us.”

The competition has allowed the coaches to refine what they are looking for, he said.

“I think it gives you the ability to be more demanding in what you’re looking for and be more
selective. Now you look at everything. You look at what type of guy they are, what they bring to
the team off the field, what they bring on the field. You look at more specific things.”